Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-03-25
CAMEO EARRING.

lor, for mother would meyer call
the little box of room by so dig
nifed a title, and for the hundredth
time they we're telling me what they
knew of my life.
"You see, Birdie" said mother,
as had always called her, sit was
a stormy night and Jack had been
detained at the stOre-he was cash
boy at Cotton 4 Co.'s then-but
Just as he was running up the steps,
about z O'Clock, he met woman
hurrying down them. She brushed
by without speaking, and he when
he reached the door, almost stun
bled over basket where you lay
all snuggled up in warm tiannels.
All, but you were a very nice baby,
my dear"
"Pity my mother hadn't thought
sO,n l sarcasticalIy observed. Then
| saw Jack looking teuderly at me,
and I remembered that | had Sc
cret to tell Mother RaynOr. / arose
and went TO her.
ait was seventeen years ago to-
morrow that you found me-" | said,
"and so that is the only birthday l
have. | have accepted Jack as a
birthday gift
4 radiant look Of surprised JOY
fairly illumined her dear old face as
she comprehended the meaning Of
my remark.
at has been the wish of my life,
she whispered, kissing me softly.
The next morning several little
birthday tokens we're on my break
fast plate. Jack had gIatihed an
oft expressed wish of mine by hay-
ing little cameo earring, found IN
the basketin which they found me set
in a ring for me for one of my birth
dav presents. 1t was an exquisite,
clear.cut cameo, and it had a de-
cided unique setting; so had al
WAYS INDUCED in the hope that
sometime, perhaps, might learn
through it who my parents were.
SO the day began happily. Dur
ing the afternoon, however, l
Glanced to 20 on the street to pay
a visit to a girl friend. At one
place some wOrkmen INSTRUCTED the
sidewalk and was obliged to cross
the street. l remember stepping
down and advancing a few steps,
ofheariug hoarse shouts of warning,
feeling sudden shock and then all
was blank.
When returned to consciousness
l was in q strange room every
thing was strange to me.
"Where am - I asked, although
I could see no one. "What has
happenedl7
"You are with friends said a
low, soft voice near me.
Turning my eyes, they fell on a
sweet.faced lady not yet old, al
though her hair was nearly white,
sitting near me.
GLOW cane / here =" | demanded,
in a weak startled voice.
After abrief consultation with a
woman, evidently the nurse, the
lady decided to explain the situa-
ton.
'You are weak, but | trust to
your good sense to remain calm
while tell you why you are here.
About a month ago you were cross
Ing the street, and my husband and
| accidentally ran against and Sc
verely injured yOu. There was
nothing about you to identify you,
so we brought you home"
"And this was a month ago
nas no one been here? Did you
advertise
no. replied the lady. ut was
reported in the police news, be-
licve, as my husband had to pay a
large fine for his carelessness, but
l never thought of advertising for
your friends. l supposed they !
wonld go to the station and then
be directed here, if you had any in
the city"
81 have nOne," said BITTERLY
81 was only a founding, living upon |
charity all my life.'
A whole month / had lain there /
and no one had called. And my |
pale, thin hands showed how near
TO deaths door | had been.
As / lay looking at my wasted /
fingers ] noticed that my ring was /
gone. Hastily inquired where 1t /
was.
Ny new found acquaintance /
FLASHED and then said
"Will YOU allow my husband to /
talk with you a few momentsl He /
has your cameo
In few moments a tall hand /
some gentleman accompanied her
into the room.
years ago." he began, after /
apoIogizing for being the cause of
my Illness, and congratulating me /
on my recovery, 81 had a pair Of /
canoes carved in this city. They |
were unlike anything ever seen
here. ! had them set in pair OF
earrings, for my wife. One night
our house was robbed by trusted
servant; the canoes were taken
with other valnables.'